Monday, February 04, 2013

Science and New Testament Manuscripts

At the moment I am busy writing my seminar for tomorrow's event hosted by the Faraday Institute in my own College. I have had tremendous fun preparing so far. Here is the full blurp, I believe there will be a recording made available on the website of the Faraday Institute.

Science and the Investigation of New Testament Documents
- Dr Dirk Jongkind -

Tuesday February 5, 2013

The various texts that make up the current New Testament have a complicated transmission history. A history in which words and phrases were omitted, inserted or transposed, sentences were rewritten, and on a handful of occasions, whole sections were added. And because of the intense use of the Christian Scriptures, it is not a straightforward process to reconstruct the 'tree of life' of the manuscripts that carry the text. In this session we will describe current thinking and methodology, draw some parallels with biological disciplines that busy themselves with copying of information, and think about the perils of doing history. And of course, we will look at manuscripts.

The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion Research Seminars are held at 1.00 p.m. on alternate Tuesdays in the Garden Room, Library Building, St. Edmund’s College. A free light buffet lunch and drinks are served from 12.30 p.m. onwards. All are welcome.

The Garden Room is on the ground floor of the Library Building which is located in the far left-hand corner as you enter the College grounds. The free buffet lunch is served there.